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I’m a wine fanatic, and even though wine isn’t always his thing, my partner is always happy to tagalong for my wine festival adventures. He enjoys a sweeter pour, and I love bold reds. The variety available is exactly what makes these festivals work for us.
We especially love California wine festivals. The settings, the food, and the chance to slow down are truly what makes the experience so enjoyable. Here are some of our favorites that take place year-round.
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When is California Wine Month?
California Wine Month takes place every September, celebrating the Golden State’s diverse wine regions during peak harvest season. Hopefully, it’s a time to celebrate a great yield.
Wineries and communities come together to host tastings, festivals, and special events to showcase local, award-winning, and new releases. It’s one of the best times of the year to explore California’s wine country, from coastal vineyards to inland valleys. These are definitely the ones worth planning a trip around.
Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival
The Valley of Moon Vintage Festival happens during peak harvest season.
Photo by Rebecca Burton on Unsplash
The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival feels deeply rooted in Sonoma’s history, and that’s what stood out to us most when we visited. Wandering around historic Sonoma Plaza with my partner, we loved how relaxed and community-focused it felt.
Stay
Less than three miles from the Sonoma Plaza is the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. It’s perfect for a romantic weekend getaway. Enjoy onsite wine tastings, mineral soaks in an ancient hot spring at the spa, and amenities such as an outdoor pool, activities, and free breakfast.
Del Mar Wine & Food Festival
This coastal food festival brings together ocean views and tastings from top wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Sample fine wines, meet winemakers, and enjoy food pairings prepared by regional chefs.
Wine, food, and beautiful ocean views.
Photo by Travis Fish on Unsplash
Del Mar Wine & Food Festival is a more polished Southern California experience. It also offers plenty of opportunities to discover a new favorite wine.
Stay
The L’Auberge Del Mar is a luxury hotel that matches the festival’s vibe. Guests will appreciate oceanfront pool views (with a bar), the lounge with live music, and proximity to the beach.
Lafayette Art & Wine Festival
The Lafayette Art & Wine Festival combines local art, lively music, and tastings from California wineries in a family-friendly setting. This is a great pick for families visiting California wine country with kids!
The lively music and neighborhood-feel make the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival a great pick for families.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Visitors can explore handcrafted goods, enjoy gourmet food vendors, and sip wines from across the state. The laid-back, neighborhood feel is a great introduction to the Golden State’s wine culture.
Stay
The Walnut Creek Marriott is nearby and offers tons of amenities, including a shuttle to nearby attractions, an outdoor pool, and an on-site bar and restaurant.
The California Wine Festival
The California Wine Festival hosts a series of coastal events throughout the year, each featuring a grand tasting format with general admission access to new wines, delicious gourmet food samples, olive oils, and live entertainment. They’re spread across the year, Dana Point in April, Carlsbad in May, Santa Barbara County Wine Festival in July, and Huntington Beach in October.
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Dana Point
Dana Point is one of those places that instantly feels like a getaway. When we attended the California Wine Festival here, we spent the afternoon sipping wines, enjoying the ocean breeze, and grazing on a dizzying variety of fresh gourmet appetizers. It was the kind of event where it’s easy to discover new favorites without feeling rushed.
It’s hard not to relax when sampling wines beachside in Dana Point.
Photo by Zan Lazarevic on Unsplash
Stay
Beachfront Inn & Suites offers a no-frills stay at a price that matches. Rooms are basic with microwaves and minifridges, suites have balconies with ocean views, and there’s a hot tub.
Huntington Beach
The Huntington Beach, California Wine Festival has a completely different energy, and that’s part of the appeal. Tasting fine wines steps away from the sand in Huntington Beach made the experience feel casual and fun.
It’s easy to relax and un-wine-d at the Huntington Beach Festival!
Photo by Chelsea Pridham on Unsplash
My partner and I enjoyed how easygoing it was. No pretense, just good wine, great weather, and a laid-back Southern California vibe that made it easy to linger. It was the quintessential California wine-tasting experience.
Stay
The Pasea Hotel & Spa has free wifi, a heated outdoor pool, and a hot tub. There’s also an on-site restaurant, bar, and room service.
Paso Robles Wine Festival
Paso Robles wine country has a way of surprising people, and the annual wine festival is a great introduction. When we visited, we appreciated how approachable it felt. It was easy to talk with winemakers as we sampled bold reds and bright white wines. The Paso Robles Wine Fest in May struck a good balance between education and enjoyment without feeling overwhelming.
We loved how easy it was to chat it up with winemakers and sommeliers!
Photo by Douglas Lopez on Unsplash
Stay
We stuck with the wine theme in Paso Robles and stayed at the Allegretto Vineyard Resort. There’s an on-site pool (with a bar), hot tub, and fitness center. I loved the stone courtyard and sampling the resort restaurant’s wine bar.
Big Sur Food & Wine Festival
This is one of the most memorable wine events we’ve attended. Set against Big Sur’s dramatic coastline, the Big Sur Food & Wine Festival leans into curated experiences, winemaker dinners, and thoughtful food pairings. Visiting with my partner, it felt less like a crowd-based tasting and more like a series of intimate moments built around exceptional wine, regional chefs, and unforgettable scenery.
Bold reds like these were by far my favorite wines to sample!
Photo by Rafael Rodrigues on Unsplash
Stay
Fernwood Resort & Campground has something for everyone with suites, tent cabins, and private cabins in a beautiful natural setting. There’s an on-site restaurant serving dinner and lunch, plus a general store with an espresso bar.
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival in November feels like a multi-day experience rather than a single event. It’s easy to pace yourself, sampling wine one day and focusing on food the next. This event also makes it easy to explore San Diego’s food and wine scene, with tastings, seminars, and exclusive content led by chefs and winemakers.
We may not agree on red vs. white, but my partner and I both enjoyed the food so much!
Photo by Julie Sd on Unsplash
Stay
The beachfront Pacific Terrace Hotel offers beautiful views, plus amenities such as a restaurant, bar, breakfast buffet, outdoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center.
LA Winefest
The June LA Wine Fest captures the energy you’d expect from Los Angeles, but with a surprisingly relaxed flow. Visitors don’t feel rushed as they move between tasting areas and listen to live music.
Live music and a fun atmosphere make the LA Wine Fest unique.
Photo by Scott Warman on Unsplash
Global wines, craft beer, spirits, and gourmet food vendors make it easy to appreciate the atmosphere without committing to a single wine region. The live music and interactive experiences make it one of the most energetic wine events in the state.
Stay
The Coast Burbank Hotel offers tons of amenities at a much more reasonable rate than many other L.A. hotels. It’s perfect for a staycation!
Napa Valley Wine Festival
July’s Napa Valley Wine Festival is a celebration of California’s finest vintage wines through tastings, auctions, and winemaker events. Visiting a wine festival in Napa Valley carries a certain expectation, and this one delivers without feeling overly formal.
It’s easy to slow down and focus on quality. Even though it’s a polished experience, the Napa Valley Festival is still approachable for visitors who want to better understand this iconic area’s wine culture.
Stay
Get cozy at the Calistoga Wine Way Inn. Some rooms come with whirlpool tubs, claw-foot tubs, and private gardens. Afternoon wine tastings are also included!
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Other California Wine Festivals
California’s wine festival calendar is packed, but choosing the right event depends on what you’re looking for. Larger festivals offer variety and energy. The smaller, community events create more space for connection and discovery.
- Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival
- LA Wine & Food Festival
- La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
- Los Altos & Wine Festival
- Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival
- Tiburon Wine Festival
- Ojai Wine Festival
- Monterey Wine Festival
- Sunnyvale Art & Wine Festival
Whether you’re planning to visit California during wine month or looking for a reason to visit a specific region, these festivals offer some of the best ways to experience California wine culture without feeling overwhelmed.
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